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Artist unveils Hurricane Sandy relief painting at artBOX in Wildwood

Autumn 1

Autumn de Forest with her original painting, 'No Storm Can Stop Us' which will be auctioned off with 100-percent of the proceeds going to aid in the hurricane relief efforts.
(Staff photo by Kelly Roncace)

Autumn joined Jack and Will Morey, along with many family and friends, to unveil a 40-foot-tall replica of her “No Storm Can Stop Us,” Hurricane Sandy relief painting.

The new artBOX artists’ colony is a 10,000-square-foot interactive artists’ colony crafted from 11 re-purposed shipping containers featuring five local artists’ studios, a café featuring fresh sushi, a museum shop and live musical entertainment.

Jack Morey said he’s been interested in reusing old shipping containers for many years.

“The first time I saw it, I was picking my son up in Australia,” Morey said. “I saw them put together in a commercial environment.”

On the same trip, he and his family visited Christchurch, New Zealand where an earthquake had “decimated” the area, and they used these shipping containers for a shopping center.

A large tarp with a picture of Autumn de Forest covered the 40-foot tall version of her original painting, 'No Storm Can Stop US' at the artBOX artist colony on Adventure Pier in Wildwood.Staff photo by Kelly Roncace

“Last year we painted a couple,” he said, pointing to several boxes on Adventure Pier that he said are used for storage.

However, the containers in the artBOX artists’ colony are filled with art on display, art for sale and artists creating their goods.

“I’ve been interested in Wildwood’s counter (art) culture for a long time,” Morey said. “It’s beginning to look at itself differently. It’s all about embracing itself.”

He described artBOX as “quirky, nostalgic, cutting-edge and a true celebration of the visual and musical arts at the Jersey Shore.”

In addition to the works of the five artists, Morey has collected pieces of rides that are no longer on the piers and put them on display in an artistic way.

“My intention is to never dispose of rides again,” he laughed. “When they have reached the end of their time on the pier, I want to bring them here and display them through some artistic application.”

And, of course, there is the towering Autumn de Forest original, honoring the rebuilding effort.

“We’re so happy to have Autumn here to help us celebrate the opening of artBOX,” Morey said. “You’re the cherry on top, helping us to celebrate this artist colony.”

Autumn gave the orders to reveal her painting, setting a crane in motion, pulling the large cover off her piece.

Autumn de Forest's painting as seen at artBOX artist colony on Adventure Pier in Wildwood.Staff photo by Kelly Roncace

“If we can help those people who are in distress and we can unite, I think no storm can stop us,” Autumn said, after sharing the huge mural.

After the seriousness of the Sandy recovery effort, Autumn got to act like the 11-year-old that she is by riding Great White, the wooden roller coaster on Adventure Pier two times in a row with Jack Morey himself.

During her first ride, her high-pitched squeal could be heard loud and clear, but on her second time around, Autumn was spotted with both hands up.

When asked how it was, Autumn was still a bit dizzy, but said she had a lot of fun.

The artBOX artist colony is located on Adventure Pier at Spencer Avenue and the Boardwalk and is open daily from 4 p.m. to midnight.